Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Semi Final Preview

The top four Camogie sides in the country will hope to resolve the issue of this year’s All-Ireland finalists this weekend following the postponement of last Saturdays Gala All-Ireland Camogie championship semi finals.

Tipperary will face Cork, while Galway take on reigning champions Wexford in the rearranged fixtures after a waterlogged Nowlan Park put pay to last weekend’s games.  The four sides travel to Kilkenny on Sunday hoping to win a place in September’s Croke Park Final.

The extra week has been of benefit to some of the sides with Galway able to welcome back a fully fit Veronica Curtin.  All-Star Curtin had been suffering from an ankle ligament strain but should now be back to full fitness as they take on Wexford.  Galway have already made the National League Final this year before narrowly losing out to Kilkenny.

Wexford on the other hand had a slow start to their Championship, losing their first two outings, including a five point defeat to Galway.  However the Champions bounced back in superb style with four wins in a row to secure a place in the last four, notching up 16 goals and 57 points along the way.

The second semi final sees old rivals Cork and Tipperary lock horns.  Until last year every Camogie All-Ireland since 1997 had been won by either Cork or Tipperary.  Wexford broke this dominance last year and both sides will now be aiming to regain the title next month.

Tipperary captain, Claire Grogan, is happy that her side will be at full strength following last week’s postponement.  “”There was a couple of girls who had very slight niggles, I wouldn’t even call them injuries, but the week has given them the chance to be 100% for this game, so it’s funny how it can work out,”” Grogan said.

Tipperary have had a mixed season so far.  They secured their place in the last four with a point against Galway in the last game.  Following a string of retirements and injuries new manager John McGrath has had to rely on a young but very skilful side for this year’s Championship and they will hope to compete well with cork on Sunday.

All-Star Grogan is happy that Tipperary are very much the underdogs following Cork’s march through the round robin stage of the Championship with five wins in six.  “”It may sound a bit weird but I think we are in a good position going into Sunday with Cork being red hot favourites. It allows us to pass underneath the radar completely and hopefully get the win. There is no pressure on Tipp at all, it’s all about Cork this year and rightly so, they have been amazing.””

Cork will play Tipperary in the first game of the double header at 1:30pm in Nowlan Park on Sunday followed by the clash of Galway and Wexford at 3:00pm.

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